By Kwame Bediako
The British government has announced it may pursue legal action against Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich to access funds from the 2022 sale of Chelsea Football Club. The proceeds from the sale, which amounted to a record £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion), were intended exclusively for humanitarian aid in Ukraine. This announcement comes amid ongoing frustrations in negotiations to secure those funds for the Ukrainian cause.
Abramovich sold Chelsea for the record sum after being sanctioned by the UK government due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite assurances that the sale proceeds would benefit Ukraine, the government has yet to reach an agreement with Abramovich to unlock the funds. Officials are concerned that urgent humanitarian needs in Ukraine remain underfunded.
Emma Reynolds, the UK Economic Secretary, expressed the government’s frustration during a parliamentary session. She described the situation as “deeply frustrating” and emphasized the government’s willingness to pursue legal channels. Reynolds made it clear that the government is prepared to go to court if necessary to ensure the funds are directed to aid efforts in Ukraine.
While negotiations continue, the government indicated that the door for dialogue remains open. However, officials have stressed their readiness to take decisive legal steps to access the sale proceeds. The move underscores the UK’s commitment to ensuring that sanctioned assets are used to support Ukraine’s humanitarian needs, despite the legal and diplomatic complexities involved.
